Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Hatem Salem, 46-year-old of Waterbury, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Robert N. Chatigny in Hartford to 60 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for distributing GHB and other controlled substances.

Salem was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service while on supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, from March 2011 to Oct. 2013, Salem ordered gallons of GBL, Ketamine and other controlled substances from China, Pakistan and other locations. GBL (Gamma-Butyrolactone) is used to produce GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate), which is commonly known as the “date rape drug.” Salem then converted the GBL to GHB and sold it, along with other controlled substances, to fellow body builders and to nightclub and bar patrons at various locations in Connecticut and New Jersey. The investigation also revealed that Salem sold GHB, “Molly,” cocaine, Adderall and other controlled substances.

Salem has been detained since his arrest on Oct. 31, 2013. On Aug. 24, 2015, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful importation of a listed chemical (GBL) with intent to manufacture a controlled substance.

Salem’s criminal history includes two prior federal convictions and a prior state conviction. On April 2, 1998, Salem was arrested by the FBI in New York for importing and distributing steroids and other controlled pharmaceutical drugs. He subsequently pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years of probation.

On May 13, 2003, Salem was arrested by the DEA in New York for distributing wholesale quantities of GHB in New York and Connecticut. During the investigation, Salem had sold gallons of GHB to an undercover agent. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 51 months of imprisonment.

On July 18, 2012, Salem was arrested by the Ansonia Police Department for attempting to fill a fraudulent prescription at a pharmacy for 180 30-milligram oxycodone pills. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a one year of imprisonment, execution suspended, and two years of probation.

This matter was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Tactical Diversion Squad. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Kale.